Elementary Schools in Markesan School District

Elementary Schools in the Markesan School District include two schools serving PK–5: Markesan Primary (PK–2, 163 students) and Markesan Intermediate (grades 3–5, 153 students). Together they enroll 316 students, and the district is ranked 204 of 432 in Wisconsin — 53rd percentile, 3 stars, slightly above the state median. Markesan Primary does not have current Forward Exam scores listed, which fits its PK–2 grade span; Markesan Intermediate is the district’s grade 3–5 testing site, so its school scores match district scores.

For parents comparing academics, Markesan Intermediate has clear strengths and weaker spots. Grade 5 math is the standout: 63.27% proficient in 2025–2026 vs. state 51.81%, and 62.96% vs. 52.58% in 2024–2025, a double-digit advantage both years. Grade 4 social studies (73.91% vs. 65.51%) and science (56.52% vs. 53.46%) are above state, while grade 5 ELA is slightly above state (55.10% vs. 53.63%). Grade 3 math (48.08% vs. 54.75%) and grade 4 ELA (47.83% vs. 53.87%) trail state in 2025–2026. Still, every listed Intermediate exam improved from 2024–2025 to 2025–2026, with large gains in grade 3 ELA (+11.30), grade 4 ELA (+7.01), grade 4 social studies (+4.52), and grade 4 science (+4.44). Its rank rose from 45th percentile / 2 stars to 51st percentile / 3 stars in 2025–2026.

For day-to-day operations, the two schools look similar. Per-student spending is $15,848 at Markesan Primary vs. $16,357 at Markesan Intermediate, and student-teacher ratios are 12:1 vs. 11.5:1. Chronic absenteeism is a district strength: Markesan Primary is 8.3%, Markesan Intermediate is 7.1%, the district is 9.3%, and the state is 17.3%. Markesan Primary’s rate is less than half the state rate, and it also has a slightly lower free/reduced lunch rate (38.04% vs. 41.18%). Markesan Primary lacks current test data, and its 2003–2005 rank history is too old to use as a current signal, but its non-test profile is favorable. Overall, the district is slightly above the state median, with especially low chronic absenteeism; Markesan Intermediate’s best current academic signals are grade 5 math, grade 4 social studies, and grade 4 science.